mgo.licio.us

"The face of the operation is Briatore (referred to exclusively in the film by his colleagues and angry, chanting detractors as "Flavio"), an anthropomorphic radish who spends most of his time at QPR plotting to fire all of the managers."

At press time, Harbaugh had sent Michigan’s athletic department an envelope containing a heavily annotated seating chart, a list of the 63,000 seat views he had found unsatisfactory, and a glowing 70-page report on section 25, row 12, seat 9, which he claimed is “exactly what the great sport of football is all about.”

Formation notes: Nothing unusual from Michigan. UMass did not appear to do any substitution, staying in a 4-3 the entire game. They did occasionally shift their front to a 3-4, for what it's worth. This was usually what M went up against, with the standup DE sometimes up, sometimes down:

Substitution notes: The only major change is the one you've already heard plenty about: Taylor Lewan came in on the second series of the first half at left tackle and played the remainder of the game. Shaw and Smith again got all the RB snaps. Junior Hemingway came back and rotated in regularly; you could consider him a co-starter with Odoms and Stonum if you want. The slots were the same rotation between Roundtree, Grady, and Robinson.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M34

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

1

Correct handoff with two guys watching Robinson. Schilling(-1) and Omameh(-1) both get beaten by their OL, forcing Smith outside and allowing UMass time to shuck blocks; he's eventually run down by three guys. (ZR+1)

RUN+

RUN-

Schilling, Omameh

M35

2

9

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Skinny post

Roundtree

Inc

Linebackers bite without so much as a run fake and the OL locks out four rushers, giving Robinson a ton of time to throw. He stares down Roundtree, allowing one safety to come underneath his pass as he tosses it. He deflects the ball and the other guy, badly beaten by Roundtree, picks it off. This is exactly what happened on the pass Te'o broke up against ND: Roundtree is open for a TD but Robinson throws it on a line, allowing an underneath defender to bat it. (BR, 0, protection 2/2)

Drive Notes: Interception, 0-3, 9 min 1st Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M7

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

9

Molk(+1) and Omameh(+1) crush the playside DT backwards so far the MLB gets caught in the wash; Shaw gets a meh but good enough block on the SLB and Robinson has a crease he takes for near first down yardage.

RUN+

Molk, Omameh, Robinson

RUN-

M16

2

1

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

5

We're watching OSU beat up Ohio. Thanks, BTN, I hate you. It was a short completion to Roundtree for the first. Guess: (CA, 3, protection 1/1) It's taken off the board with an illegal substitution penalty.

M21

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 3-4

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

6

UMass shifts the line and uses the slot LB to the field side as a blitzer; correct handoff with the weakside LB scrape exchanging with the blitzer. Molk(+1), Schilling(+1), and Omameh(+1) completely destroy the NT and the single MLB, opening up a ton of room for a potential big gainer; Shaw does not perceive the backside guy and heads upfield before cutting out into the space, which gives the blitzer an angle to tackle from behind. He does get upfield quickly and drag the tackler, FWIW. (ZR+1)

RUN+

Molk, Omameh, Schilling

RUN-

M27

2

4

Shotgun empty

1

0

4

Base 3-4

Pass

Yakety OMG

Roundtree

73 (pen -5)

Get to this play late, too. This is Michigan's double screen play; Robinson fumbles the snap, then improvises, chucking it deep to Roundtree, who got open behind everyone just as he gets crushed; Roundtree jets for the endzone. It comes back for two separate penalties: not getting set before the play and Schilling ending up a few yards downfield. I thought you got some leeway with the latter, not that it matters. Uh... (CA+, 3, protection NA)

M22

2

9

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

PA circle

TRob

Inc + 15 pen

Half-roll after the zone fake and Robinson wings it too high for TRob on a pass that would have gained maybe five and then gotten him blown up. He still gets blown up and UMass gets a penalty for going helmet to helmet against a defenseless receiver. From the stands this looked pretty bad, FWIW. (IN, 1, protection 1/1)

M37

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

PA slant

Odoms

16

Zone read fake and then a bubble fake and then Michigan hits the slant behind it; UConn in tight man so Odoms has very little room in front of good coverage; Robinson zings it in right on the money. I'm still in a bit of disbelief when he does stuff like this. (DO, 2, protection NA)

O47

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

-1

Robinson gives a hard count and appears to get UMass offside but no call. The SLB blitzes with great timing at the snap, coming through the line, picking off the lead blocker, and forcing Robinson to cut to the backside of the play, where everything falls apart because the blocking angles are busted. (RPS-1)

O48

2

11

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Flat

TRob

Inc

Curl-flat combination against man; Robinson reads it right and hits TRob about three yards downfield with plenty of room to turn it up; TRob drops it. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

O48

3

11

Shotgun empty

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Fly

Grady

43

With the safeties rolled up and a linebacker transparently in man on Grady this is a pretty easy read for Robinson. UMass loads up and sends six, with an unblocked guy coming right up the middle. Robinson steps back to give himself just enough time and chucks a 40-yard pass that basically hits Grady in stride; Grady brings in an over-the-shoulder catch and stumbles at the five. Super impressive. (DO+, 2, protection 1/3, team -2)

O5

1

G

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

4

Molk(+1) and Omameh(+1) seal the playside DT and Omameh has an easy job of sealing the MLB since he's running up behind said DT. Dorrestein(+1) locks out the DE and it's Shaw one on one with a safety in a ton of space; he makes a good cut and falls forward to the goal line.

RUN+

Omameh, Molk, Dorrestein

RUN-

O1

2

G

I-Form Big

2

2

1

Goal line

Run

Iso

Shaw

1

Hurray touchdown. Molk and Omameh blow up the same DT; McColgan gets a good block on the LB, and it's easy.

RUN+

Molk, Omameh, McColgan

RUN-

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 7-3, 3 min 1st Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M40

1

10

Shotgun 2-back H-back

2

1

2

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

20

We get to watch Smith not have the ball as Robinson(+3) beats a DE set up to contain him, then beats a safety to the outside, then gets a good block from Odoms(+1) to the corner. This ends 20 yards downfield. We don't even get a replay. WOO BTN. I'd ZR-1 this but it kind of went 20 yards.

RUN+

Robinson(3), Odoms

RUN-

O40

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Sack

?

-7

Looks like they're going with the zone read fake to seam combo and looks like they have Roundtree wide open; Robinson bobbles the snap and gets sacked by the blitzing LB. Not charted. This is all on Robinson; snap was perfect.

O47

2

17

Shotgun empty

1

0

4

Base 3-4

Run

QB draw

Robinson

7

Stunt opens this up big time and this could go for a lot of yards if not for a great reaction from the MLB and Molk(-1) whiffing the block, allowing said MLB to come around and make a diving ankle tackle. (RPS+1)

RUN+

RUN-

Molk

O40

3

10

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Sack

?

-6

Robinson rolls out. UMass is blitzing a LB from that side of the field and scrapes another guy; first LB is picked up by Smith but there's no one to block the second. A pump fake from Robinson gets the guy in the air but he manages to crunch DR for an impressive sack. (PR, 0, protection NA, RPS-1)

Drive Notes: Punt, 7-10, 13 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M16

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel

Pass

Zone read bubble

Roundtree

5

First time this year they've actually thrown this, as Robinson pulls the ball with apparently no contain. A safety is coming up hard as the scraper though (first time I've seen that) and Robinson bails out into the bubble, which gets a few. (CA, 3, screen)

M21

2

5

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

QB off tackle

Robinson

16

Opens up big as UMass slants the wrong way. Koger(+1) crushes the playside DE out of the play on a down block as Dorrestein pulls around. Shaw(+1) kicks out a LB, Dorrestein(+1) does the same, and Schilling(+1) shields the MLB out of the play. Omameh(-1) got turned around on the same guy and did not move to the safety, which is probably the only thing preventing a touchdown here. (RPS +1)

RUN+

Robinson, Koger, Schilling, Dorrestein, Shaw

RUN-

Omameh

M37

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Bubble screen

Roundtree

8

Not a read this time but does come with the zone fake. Stonum(+1) gets a great cut block, opening up the edge; Roundtree can probably get more than he does if he just runs up the sideline. (CA, 3, screen)

M45

2

2

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Flare

Shaw

5

Snag concept minus the corner route, but the same slant/flare combo we saw a lot earlier this year. This time Robinson should probably hit the slant but chooses the flare, which he impressively drops over a retreating DE and right to Shaw, who has to deal with a LB charging at him immediately. He spins by for the first. (CA+, 3, protection 1/1)

50

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 3-4

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

8

Playside DE crushed back by Huyge(+1) and gets caught in wash behind Koger's(+1) block of the slot LB. With those guys giving ground the outside is where it's at and Robinson takes it out there, where Shaw(+1) takes out that playside LB once and for all and gives Robinson the corner.

RUN+

Shaw, Huyge, Koger

RUN-

O42

2

2

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

0

DE has contain and doesn't crash so I guess this is a correct read but I'd like to see Denard pull since he's got a ton of space and can probably pwn this guy. But technically correct. So Shaw gets it. Interior line does its usual blow-back job on the interior UMass line but Dorrestein(-1) gets slanted inside of; no hole. Shaw(-1) should just run up the backs of the interior OL on second and two but attempts to spin by the backside DE and gets swallowed.

RUN+

Molk, Omameh, Schilling

RUN-

Robinson, Shaw, Dorrestein

O42

3

2

?

?

?

QB off tackle

Robinson

17

Guh: let's watch a play from last week instead of one from this week. On replay we get some details, but the replay is a field-level view. PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH. Anyway: downblock and Omameh pulls around. Shaw(+1) gets a good block on the edge, as does Odoms(+1) and the corner is assured. No idea about the line. (RPS+1)

RUN+

Shaw, Odoms, Robinson

RUN-

O25

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

5

Schilling(+1) and Molk(+1) crush the playside DT, providing a crease, with Omameh getting out on a LB and attempting to seal him to one side only to see Smith cut behind the block. Dorrestein has only done an OK job on the backside DT, who tackles. Smith(-1) could have done better here.

RUN+

Molk, Schilling

RUN-

Smith

O20

2

5

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

-1

UMass slants under the blocking (RPS -1), with Molk(-1) completely whiffing a DT and getting Smith nailed in the backfield. Handoff seems okay. Run minus: Molk(2)

O21

3

6

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

PA rollout

Roundtree

Inc

Rollout cuts off most of the field and a charging DE gets cut off by Schilling but still eliminates the outside and forces Robinson to pull up and throw to Roundtree, open-ish in the endzone but covered by the safety; he makes an excellent play to break it up. (CA+, 0, protection 1/1) I guess he got there a tiny bit early but i would hate it if this was called PI if I was a neutral fan.

Drive Notes: Missed FG(39), 7-10, 4 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M33

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Tunnel screen

Stonum

67

This is mostly set up by the coverage, which is tight man on the edges. This gives Grady(+1) an easy block of the corner. Omameh(+1) comes out to plant the safety, Molk(+1) was out fast enough to make the MLB come upfield of him despite slipping, and Stonum(+3) has the speed to just plain outrun the one remaining deep safety, running through a tackle as he goes. (CA, 3, screen, RPS +1)

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 14-17, 1 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M45

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

3-3-5 nickel

Run

QB draw

Robinson

4

Opens up big time with UMass only rushing three and dropping everyone else. Grady(+1) gets a good block on a LB; he sets up outside to keep contain. Omameh and Schilling end up double-teaming another linebacker; there's a crease between them and one UMass player trying to fill it, but Robinson slips as he tries to cut and eats the turf.

RUN+

Grady, Omameh

RUN-

Turf

M49

2

6

Shotgun empty

1

0

4

3-3-5 nickel

Pass

Dig

Hemingway

36

Three man rush is stoned by the OL; Robinson has all day to find Hemingway, who got deeper than the first wave and then cut inside about twenty-five yards downfield in front of the safety. Denard hits him in the numbers with perfect timing and Hemingway can pick up some YAC because of a poor angle by a safety. (DO, 2, protection 2/2)

O15

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

PA circle

Grady

6

Looks like cover two and this is either a checkdown or a missed read, but the timing's good enough for Grady to pick up five, though he doesn't get OOB. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

Confusing set of routes here since Grady is running another circle and Stonum is doing the same thing except deeper. I don't know if I've seen this before. Stonum's route gets the CB to bite to the inside a bit, at which point he looks at Robinson and loses the plot; Robinson nails Stonum (but not before the ball flashes by Grady, who gets tackled and momentarily makes me think this is a disaster) for a touchdown. (CA, 3, protection 2/2)

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 21-17, EO1H.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M31

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Nickel

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

2

Only six guys in the box so Michigan naturally tries the lead draw since they hypothetically have no one to defend it. The UMass LB to the playside makes a great play to shoot into the backfield and hit Shaw a yard behind the LOS, cutting off a hole and forcing Robinson to cut back behind him, where Huyge(-1) has gotten chucked by the DE. DE tackles, Robinson manages some YAC. (RPS –1)

M33

2

8

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 3-4

Run

Reverse

Grady

15

Robinson stretch fake sucks six guys to the frontside and the playside LB hesitates. Shaw(+1) gets out on him to cut him. Dorrestein gets out and bothers but does not get a safety down; Stonum(+1) maintains a stalk block a long time, providing Grady an alley outside; safety runs him out. (RPS +2)

RUN+

Shaw, Stonum

RUN-

M48

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

9

Correct handoff (ZR+1) with the DE maintain contain; Webb was headed outside to provide a lead block on a scraping LB if the DE crashed. MLB is charging inside to cut off holes; Huyge(+1) walls him off and pushes him far enough inside that Shaw(+1) can make a decisive cut behind the entire OL, in which there are no holes, and burst into the second level.

RUN+

Huyge, Shaw, Schilling

RUN-

O43

2

1

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

3

Schilling and Molk(+1 each) crush the NT back; Huyge(+1) shoves the DE back a couple yards and cuts him off as he tries to slant inside. Robinson is cutting outside, but a weak block from Shaw(-1) on the edge gives his man an opportunity to hit Robinson. As he's being driven back he makes a pitching motion to Shaw, causing the entire stadium to go noooooo, so he doesn't.

RUN+

Schilling Molk, Huyge

RUN-

Shaw

O40

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

7

TE is on the backside of the formation and blocks the DE out there so it appears Robinson is reading the playside LB. He comes inside, so he pulls (ZR+1). The slot LB comes in to provide belated contain; Robinson jukes upfield and darts behind downfield blocks from Webb(+1) and Huyge(+1)

RUN+

Webb, Huyge, Robinson

RUN-

O33

2

3

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 3-4

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

33

The longish Shaw touchdown on which he comes to a complete stop in the hole despite there being an obvious lane in front of him. Schilling(+2) gets a driving, sealing block on an NT lined up well inside of him. Omameh(+1) fights off the DE to that side of the field; Molk(+1) gets a downfield block on the MLB and Webb(+1) stones a player coming off the edge that would have crushed Shaw because of his hesitation. When Shaw finally decides to run up in the gaping hole in front of him, he is fast and cruises into the endzone easily because the safety to his side of the field tore after a Robinson keeper or something. Can you minus a tailback on a 33-yard touchdown? (BTW: ZR+1; Denard had a guy blitzing directly at him.)

RUN+

Schilling(2), Molk, Omameh, Webb

RUN-

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 28-17, 12 min 3rd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M6

1

10

Ace twins

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

4

Enter Taylor Lewan. UMass linebackers screaming downhill past the double of Schilling and Molk right in the frontside C-T gap. (RPS -1) On the backside Dorrestein(+1) gets enough of the backside DT to push him back and seal him, providing a tiny crease that Smith can dart into; that LB dives and ankle-tackles from behind, causing Smith to fall.

RUN+

Dorrestein

RUN-

Schilling

M10

2

6

Shotgun Twins 2TE

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

9

Omameh(+1) gets a reach block on the playside DT, opening up gap between himself and Webb(+1), who is crushing the DE out of the play. Dorrestein gets a free release. He walls off the playside LB(+1), but Smith(-1) does not get a good block on a crashing corner and he tackles, though Robinson runs through it for some bonus yards. Also: Taylor Lewan(+1) latched on to the backside LB and blocked him 15 yards downfield.

RUN+

Omameh, Webb, Dorrestein, Lewan

RUN-

Smith

M19

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB counter

Robinson

4

Inside zone fake but this is not a read, it's just a called play. Playside DE slants between Lewan and Schilling without either of them picking up on it. Think this is on Lewan(-1) since its his third snap ever. This means there's an unblocked guy in the middle of the play and Robinson has to improvise, which he does by dodging the contain guy, getting out to the edge, and picking up a few by slinking past a corner.

RUN+

Robinson

RUN-

Lewan

M23

2

6

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

PA Fly

Stonum

46

Michigan does a PA fake QB stretch and then Robinson pulls up after a slight roll. The playfake has erased the safety to Stonum's side of the field and the corner there is in tight man coverage. Ball is very slightly underthrown, which causes Stonum to slow up and should draw a PI flag on an early-arriving corner who's not even looking for the ball, but Stonum brings it in anyway. Maybe they throw it if he doesn't catch the ball? Anyway: this is a 40-yard deep ball and is accurate enough for the DO despite being a tiny bit short. If he can do this consistently, jebus. (DO, 2, protection 2/2) Credit to the corner: this is pretty good coverage given the situation.

O31

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Smith

4

Molk(+1) reaches the playside DT, sealing him off. Lewan(+1) has driven the playside DE back—something that has almost never happened on M stretches in the RR era, or for that matter the Carr era—so Koger and Smith head outside, where there should be green pastures except for Schilling(-1) essentially whiffing on the OLB, who reads the play and makes a great tackle as Smith approaches the LOS. I would so trade our MLBs straight up for theirs.

RUN+

Lewan, Molk

RUN-

Schilling

O26

2

5

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

11

UMass line is slanting to the right and pushing the LBs left to compensate, but Schilling(+1) and Molk(+1) successfully control the playside DT and Lewan(+1) locks out the DE, giving Smith a lane and no linebackers. He takes it, but slips as the safety comes up and is not able to make the man miss.

RUN+

Lewan, Molk, Schilling

RUN-

O15

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

7

Complete obliteration of the same guy by Molk and Schilling(+1 each); Schilling then pops out on the playside LB. It's only a corner blitz that provides anyone who can stop this; Smith runs through a terrible shoulder block of a tackle(+1) to pick up good yardage. Lewan dangerously close to a holding call here.

UMass does pretty well on the frontside of the play but on the backside Lewan(+3) completely destroys a DT. Turns him into goo. Massive cutback lane seen and taken by Shaw(+1). Shaw then breaks a tackle(+1) and takes off, with Grady, Webb, and Robinson(!!!) acting as downfield convoy. Webb(+1) kills a DB but the cutback forced allows the playside DE to ankle-tackle Shaw. Robinson should have peeled back.

RUN+

Lewan(3), Shaw(2), Webb

RUN-

O22

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

3

Another big cutback lane as Omameh(+1) shoves the backside DT well out of the play, but Smith(-1) does not cut back enough and ends up running directly into Omameh's guy.

RUN+

Omameh

RUN-

Smith

O19

2

7

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

8

This time it's Schilling(+1) and Molk(+1) doubling and shoving back the playside DT with Lewan(+1) kicking out the DE. Schilling can't get out on the MLB and he and a crashing slot LB tackle.

RUN+

Lewan, Schilling, Molk

RUN-

O11

1

10

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

7

Molk(+1) blasts the playside DT, this time not attempting to reach him but content with pushing him back. This provides a cutback lane as Schilling(+1) and Lewan(+1) scoop the backside DE and Schilling pops out on the WLB. Shaw(+1) makes a good cut but can't shake the safety.

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 42-24, 12 min 4th Q. Michigan has passed once in the second half and I hadn't even noticed until this drive.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M37

1

10

I-Form twins

2

1

2

Base 4-4

Run

Inside zone

Smith

1

Schilling(-1) does not dominate his man and there's no frontside crease; Smith(-1) misses a cutback lane behind Omameh, who got a decent block on the DT. Cutback open thanks to Dorrestein's(+1) excellent LB block and McColgan cutting off the backside DE.

RUN+

Dorrestein

RUN-

Schilling, Smith

M38

2

9

Shotgun trips TE

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

8

Heading way outside here. Koger(+1) gets enough of the playside DE to give the corner. Roundtree gets enough of a CB to force him inside; Jackson(-1) gets discarded by his guy but Robinson(+1) shoots past him and nears the first down.

Omameh(+1) and Molk(+1) blow the NT off the ball, allowing Omameh to peel off on the MLB and giving Shaw a fairly large gap for a last-minute iso up the gut against a stacked line. He duly slams it up.

RUN+

Omameh, Molk, Shaw

RUN-

O28

2

3

I-Form big

2

2

1

Base 4-4

Run

Iso

Shaw

2

Same deal, with Dorrestein more important since the play cuts back a little bit due to faster-reacting UMass LBs. Shaw does a crappy job of getting YAC here.

RUN+

McColgan, Dorrestein

RUN-

Shaw

O26

3

1

I-form big

2

2

1

Base 4-3

Run

Iso

Shaw

2

Hurray they get it runing behind Lewan(+1) and Schilling(+1)

RUN+

Lewan, Schilling

RUN-

Drive Notes: EOG, 42-37.

Now this looks like what should happen against a I-AA team minus those ever-increasing scores for the opposition in the drive notes section.

Yes. This probably would have been abandoned early if not for the defense's inability to get the Minutemen off the field. Michigan punted twice. The first time Robinson bobbled a snap and got sacked on a play that was wide open. The second came on a drive when they were just trying to run clock.

For a stretch in the second half they ran on 19 of 20 plays and I didn't even notice because those were three consecutive touchdown drives. Michigan threw once in the second half and put up 42 points that should have been 45 with a makeable field goal; it was a dominant performance after Robinson's oops-I-forgot-I'm-awesome-now interception.

It's just against a I-AA team, sure, but it is further confirmation that this offense looks like the best since Henson and Terrell were lighting it up in 2000. We won't be able to say for certain until they get through the Indiana-MSU-Iowa stretch.

(I've added the Downfield Success Rate to the chart on the suggestion of a reader; hover over the column header for its definition.)

We all had a Letterman neck moment on that interception but Robinson recovered to have a very efficient day. The most important bit of his performance were the three deep balls to Grady, Stonum, and Hemingway. The first one was truly impressive since he had the footwork to hop a step back in the pocket, giving himself time to get the ball off:

Even after two games in which Robinson has established himself a quarterback who doesn't suck that's a stunning combo of poise, agility, and accuracy.

The second was a dead-on fly route of 40 yards; the third was Denard IDing a hole in zone coverage and throwing it to an area his WR would be in. All of that is advanced stuff, though standard quality of competition disclaimers etc. Another step forward in any case. Kid can throw:

He added one inaccurate pass to his brief gallery of misses but if those deep balls are hit consistently they take the offense from very good to napalm in cleats. Can this really keep up? As the weeks pass it becomes more and more likely. He is now 19th in passer efficiency against a tougher-than-average schedule.

Receivers?

Receivers:

This Game

Totals

Player

0

1

2

3

0

1

2

3

Stonum

-

-

1/1

2/2

1

-

2/3

10/10

Odoms

-

-

1/1

-

-

-

3/4

7/7

Hemingway

-

-

1/1

-

-

-

1/1

-

Jackson

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Roundtree

2

-

-

4/4

4

2/3

0/1

11/11

Grady

-

-

1/1

1/1

2

-

1/1

4/4

Robinson

-

0/1

-

0/1

-

0/1

-

2/3

Stokes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Koger

-

-

-

-

-

-

1/2

2/2

Webb

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Smith

-

-

-

-

-

-

0/1

4/4

Shaw

-

-

-

1/1

1

0/1

0/1

2/2

Cox

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Hopkins

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Toussaint

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Not a lot of action with the limited throws but the guys came through. Stonum catching that deep ball under duress is an encouraging item, and Grady pulling in an over-the-shoulder grab is also progress from last year. The other Robinson did have the receiving corps' first flat drop of the season. That's one in 43 opportunities. The receivers are officially exceeding expectations.

And PROTECTION METRIC: 15/18, Molk –1, Team –2.

Not much to see there.

Lewannnnnnnnnn!

Right, well, for the running stuff we need a—

Chart II?

Chart II.

Offensive Line

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Huyge

4

1

3

In just over a half of play.

Lewan

9

1

8

Start the hype machine, yo.

Schilling

12

4

8

Bounce back from the meh ND performance.

Molk

15

3

12

Totally dominant as you would expect.

Omameh

11

2

9

Didn't pwn anyone downfield, still doing well.

Dorrestein

6

2

4

I might not be giving the tackles enough credit for locking out DEs.

Webb

4

-

4

Plus eight between the TEs is impressive.

Koger

4

-

4

Word.

TOTAL

65

13

52

Complete obliteration.

Backs

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Robinson

11

1

10

Also check the ZR metric.

Gardner

-

-

-

DNP

Shaw

10

3

7

Didn't get a plus on the long TD but ran hard, found cutback lanes, and broke a couple tackles.

Smith

1

4

-3

Most of that is blocking but he did have some opportunities to pick up more yards than he has. I don't know if it's the injury but he certainly doesn't seem as agile as he did as a freshman. It's probably time to see some alternatives.

Cox

-

-

-

DNP

Toussaint

-

-

-

DNP

Hopkins

-

-

-

BEEF MACHINE, but DNP.

McColgan

2

-

2

Functional.

Jones

-

-

-

DNP

TOTAL

24

8

16

Shaw seems established as the #1.

Receivers

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Stonum

5

-

5

Broke that screen for the TD.

Odoms

2

-

2

Goatman.

TRobinson

-

-

-

--

Roundtree

-

-

-

--

Grady

2

-

2

TOTAL

9

1

8

Also a –1 from Jackson

Metrics

Zone Read

6

-

6

Dangerous for opponents if M and Robinson have figured out scrape responses.

Finally, the RPS number was 6-7=-1.

Those numbers don't seem that high to me; Michigan averaged 7.7YPC minus the kneeldown and Robinson's sacks (UMass was only credited with one but the bobbled snap play was a pass; in any case it's not representative of the line's performance). If you are averaging nearly 8 YPC and running 80% of the time your OL should come out +52 or so.

Another item in Robinson's development: no bad reads on the zone play except one he may have gotten away with but 1) gained 20 yards on and 2) faked out the BTN cameraman to the point where it's impossible to tell if he should have pulled or not. I'm a fan of the play where Michigan pulls the TE all the way around to the outside (detailed in a Tate picture page), which Michigan has been showing intermittently and will destroy the scrape exchange against teams who run it consistently. It's just a matter of time before Robinson rips into the secondary.

Well, then: Lewan?

I have to agree with the hype. Wow. This is his second snap from scrimmage:

"Hello. My name is Taylor Lewan. I am here to inform you that, while you believe you are a linebacker, you are actually a donkey. Let's go for a ride."

And then there's Shaw's 50-yarder:

"I hate you, donkey. Sincerely, Taylor Lewan."

The standard UMass disclaimers apply. However, you are in a good situation when a tackle who seems to be playing somewhere between adequately and well is getting pushed out of the lineup by a redshirt freshman who racks up a 9-1=8 in just under a half of play in his first extended playing time. This is good for this year; it is very good for next year, when it seems like Michigan will be able to plug in whichever LT loses the battle this year without missing a beat.

This is the exact opposite of the MLB situation. At LT, a hyped player is forcing his way through an experienced veteran who's playing well. At MLB, an experienced veteran is not playing well and there's no one to pick up the baton.

Tailback situation any clearer?

I also have to agree with the mounting Smith criticism. In this game he had a couple opportunities to add plus yards on runs that broke open and couldn't do it. He's not breaking or dodging tackles and he obviously lacks the raw speed of Shaw; Shaw is also heftier and seems less prone to missing blocks. I'd say he's earned the first shot at the Big Ten schedule and Michigan should start rotating in Cox, Hopkins, Toussaint, and even Teric Jones to see if they can find something there.

Shaw, meanwhile, was making decisive cuts for the most part. The primary exception was the 30-yard touchdown, on which he came to a total stop in the hole and then burst upfield when it was pretty obvious there was going to be room directly in front of him. I can understand slowing up a bit to set up the blocks, but it looked like Shaw was considering a cutback. I think he's the best Michigan has right now but am hoping Toussaint lives up to Fred Jackson's hype. Or, like, 10% of it.

What about the I formation runs at the end?

It seems like a waste to have a running QB and then line him up in the I-form to hand off when everyone knows you're running. While you should expect to get it anyway against a I-AA team you are vulnerable to that guy tearing off the edge that might get blocked if you just had the QB take it ahead.

I mentioned this in the game column but to repeat: with two veteran TEs who are blocking well and a fullback who exists I'd like to see a Wolverine version of the Gator Heavy formation in which Tim Tebow tanked his way to the promised land. I can't find a shot of it except from NCAA players who complain about how it's an exploit:

Here the guys are using it as an exploit by shoving the leetle tailbacks in instead of the beef, but it seems like M's short yardage formation should be a 2TE set with McColgan and whichever other back is the best blocker (hypothetically Hopkins but probably Shaw right now). Robinson isn't Tebow but he's probably going to be about as effective in heavy since he can dart into any crease that opens up.

OTOH, they're doing pretty well right now without trying this.

Heroes?

Essentially everyone. Special praise for the interior OL.

Goats?

Smith is about it.

What does it mean for Bowling Green and beyond?

Tackle, thought to be a potential weak spot going into the year, now has a competent or better player on the bench. I'm still waiting for the Iowa game to declare Frey a miracle worker; initial returns are excellent. The offensive line is meeting high expectations.

The receivers are catching everything and Denard flashing an accurate deep ball is the second to last thing he needs to add to his arsenal to be virtually unstoppable (the last: a seam with some touch). His progression continues to be remarkable, and while there will be at least a couple bumpy roads in the Big Ten we're nearing the point where Denard is just Denard and we're all lucky for that.

Tailback is the only spot at which it seems Michigan could improve. I'm trying to keep expectations in check after last year but this feels different; this feels like the best offense at M in a long time.

NEW! So I've finally decided I'm going to try to hand out +/- for run blocking, which has been a sore spot when it comes to numbers since UFR started. With Michigan running 75% of the time against UConn, I can't just go by gut feel anymore. I've got enough of a handle on it to at least give it a try. I'm adopting the same sort of +/- format Genuinely Sarcastic uses, because that seems like a good idea, and hope he continues doing his version since different eyes will see different things.

Also, Denard Robinson demands some changes to the way UFR does passing. I'm adding a new SCR indicator for a scramble that is clearly a good idea given Robinson's speed and the down and distance situation. A four yard run on third and fifteen is still a TA.

Formation note: UConn didn't seem to do much, if any substitution. By the end of the game it was clear that they essentially had two defenses, a one-high formation…

…and a two high formation…

…and that the only thing that changed other than that was the alignment of the linebackers based on the position of the WRs—when Michigan went to trips a linebacker lined up over the #2 WR. There was a slight variant of the one-high defense deployed when Michigan went to two TE sets that saw one of the linebackers drop down to the line and the others slide over; I called that "Base 5-3," FWIW. As always, nomenclature is an attempt to be clear about what I'm talking about, not a guarantee of fidelity.

Here Martell Webb is lined up as a quasi fullback; usually he would pull to the backside and block the crashing DE, who always crashed on a… wait for it… scrape exchange.

Substitution note: Nothing you don't already know. No substitution on the OL except for Molk's momentary cramp. Robinson and Grady were rotating in at slot frequently even before Roundtree went out, with Robinson seemingly ahead of Grady when it came to PT. Koger and Webb rotated, with Webb more of a blocker and Koger a receiver. Jeremy Jackson got in some spot duty; Je'Ron Stokes did not see the field.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M4

1

10

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 4-3

Run

Off tackle

Shaw

6

Basically an iso designed to go just outside the TE; Koger and Dorrestein double and drive back the playside DE, with Koger popping off on the linebacker scraping over the top. McColgan has the short side corner; all these blocks are very well done. Unfortunately Omameh(-1) is overpowered by the DT and lets him into the backfield, forcing Shaw to bounce it outside. This robs Koger of the angle on the MLB and he has a free shot at Shaw for about one; Shaw(+1) spins through the tackle and gets six.

RUN+

Koger, Dorrestein, Shaw

RUN-

Omameh(2)

M10

2

4

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 4-3

Pass

Rollout hitch

Stonum

7

UConn walks down the strong safety, so the corner on Stonum gives him an eight yard cushion. The quick hitch is open and Robinson hits him in the numbers. Pass was late and from the stands this looked a little dodgy--there will be a couple additional plays like this--but you can't ask for more when it comes to accuracy and velocity. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

M17

1

10

Shotgun Trips TE

1

1

3

Nickel 4-3

Run?

Scramble

Robinson

9 - 13 Pen

Michigan fakes a belly handoff to Shaw, doubling both DTs and hypothetically leaving Shaw one on one with the unblocked MLB. Not a convincing fake. it's supposed to go to a short bubble, but Robinson pulls it down and takes off, zipping by the MLB and scurrying around a safety, finally getting hacked down near the first down marker. Was the bubble open? Eh, probably, but not for 9 yards. Should Forcier have thrown this? Yes. Robinson? Run, jackrabbit, run. (SCR, --, protection NA) Omameh gets a personal foul for a hit well after the whistle.

RUN+

Odoms, Robinson

RUN-

M13

2

14

Shotgun Trips TE

1

1

3

Nickel 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

22

UConn's nickel 4-3 is a 4-3 with one of the LBs lined up over the #2 WR outside. There are also two safeties about ten yards downfield. Molk(+1) and Schilling(+1) execute a classic scoop block, springing Schilling out on the the MLB, who he blocks out of hte play. Shaw(+1) takes out the other LB. Roundtree(+1) cuts a safety. Dorrestein(+1) gets a free release and has no one to block so he just runs downfield walling off the short side corner. A charging safety forces Robinson outside, where the corner manages to make a desperate lunging tackle, preventing an 85-yard touchdown. BWS picture-paged this play.

RUN+

Schilling, Molk, Roundtree, Shaw, Robinson

RUN-

M35

1

10

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Belly keeper

Robinson

10

This is a variant on the zone read but I'm not entirely sure what it's supposed to be yet or who Robinson reads. I think it's the WLB, actually, as Koger kicks out the DE and all the linemen get blocked. Here Huyge(-1) and Schilling(-1) get split by an active DT and Shaw would be dead but Denard(ZR +1) pulls it out. He's now past the slanting DT and Schilling has released downfield along with Molk. Molk(+1) clocks Lloyd. Omameh(+1) controls the other DT and drives him two yards downfield, allowing Robinson to cut back behind when the LB avoid Schilling and Shaw. Dorrestein is again walling off a guy downfield; Robinson cuts behind; Stonum(+1) nails a corner, giving Robinson room to the sideline.

RUN+

Omameh, Molk, Stonum, Robinson(2)

RUN-

Schilling, Dorrestein

M45

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Shaw

5

Michigan blocking the backside DE; they are going to be reading LBs all game. With the WLB crashing down on the stretch, this is a missed read by Denard(ZR-1). Still hypothetically has a shot at succeeding but Omameh's guy has gotten a bit of push and is set up in the B gap; he absorbs Smith's block. Shaw(+1) has nowhere to go and cuts behind blocks into the wide open gap Denard should have taken, managing to fall forward after barely avoiding the guy Schilling was blocking.

RUN+

Shaw, Schilling

RUN-

Omameh, Robinson

50

2

5

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

4

Double the playside DT and contain him, run right at the MLB, with Shaw getting a decent block; Robinson runs decisively, taking a hit from said MLB as he bounces off Shaw's block.

RUN+

NA

RUN-

NA

O46

3

1

I-Form Big

2

2

1

Bear 5-3

Run

Iso

Shaw

2

Do isos just go in a gap or can that change based on the D? Because UConn slants into this gap, leaving a big hole between Schilling and Omameh that has two linebackers, Molk, and could have McColgan if they went there. Instead it's just straight ahead at because Omameh(-1) and Dorrstein(-1) have lost out on blocks there are two tacklers and nowhere for Shaw to go; Shaw(+1) manages to fall forward for the first.

RUN+

Shaw

RUN-

Omameh, Dorrestein

O44

1

10

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Belly handoff

Shaw

4

Not sure if this is the right read or not; DE is sliding down the line but maintaining some contain; definitely a handoff if Forcier, but Robinson? Benefit of the doubt since the DE did hesitate on Robinson. ZR+1. Omameh(-1) blocks down on the DT from an advantageous position and sees his block spun off of, forcing a cut outside where the backside DE is; the delay allows him to tackle. Crashing safety also there, but one-on-one that could have been a play.

RUN+

Robinson

RUN-

Omameh

O40

2

6

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

PA TE cross

Koger

16

Zone stretch fake with Schilling pulling around to provide pass protection on the unblocked backside DE. Linebackers suck up like whoah (RPS+2), leaving Koger wide open as the guy who should be covering the zone he's entering is actually trying to tackle Robinson. Dart hits him between the numbers 15 yards downfield, caught, first down. (CA+, 3, protection 2/2)

O24

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Nickel 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Shaw

-1

Frustrating, as UConn has six in the box and literally not enough guys to tackle if they run another draw. This is a stretch, and Robison makes the correct handoff decision (ZR+1) since the WLB is charging right at him. Omameh's(-1) DT does get a little penetration and closes off the frontside B gap, forcing Shaw to cut back; Molk(-1) and Schilling double team the NT and eventually pancake him but don't block anyone else. Blitzing WLB makes the play. (RPS-1) Run minus: Omameh, Schilling.

O25

2

11

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

10

This is just too easy, as UConn does the exact same thing. With two deep safeties and six in the box they literally have no one to tackle the QB. WLB runs into a frontside crease, leaving no one for Shaw to even block until he's ten yards downfield. Molk(+1) controlled and pancaked the playside DT; Robinson and Shaw banged a safety, leaving the slot LB to come from behind and tackle. RPS+2.

RUN+

Robinson, Molk

RUN-

O15

3

1

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Nickel 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

3

SIX GUYS IN BOX ON THIRD AND ONE AT THE 15. Edsall derp. A slightly short yardage variation as Molk and Schilling double and crush the playside DT. Weakside LB reacts quickly and defeats Smith's block but has no chance to keep this under three yards, let alone one. RPS+1. Millen's praising Lloyd, and praising him correctly, and this had no chance.

RUN+

NA

RUN-

NA

O12

1

10

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

12

Almost all Smith. Schilling(-1) gets driven back and thrown almost into the path of Smith; he ends up with his back to the DT looking at him. On the frontside, Molk and Omameh just manage to wall off the playside DT; Omameh pops off on the charging SLB. Smith manages to slip through this mess into a totally unblocked safety, who misses, at which point he can cut behind Roundtree(+1) and get into the endzone.

This is on Denard because the unblocked DE was hauling ass after the RB and he needs to pull it out (ZR -1). If he does he has Webb as a lead blocker, Huyge on Lloyd, and the slot LB between him and the safeties--first down probably, touchdown maybe. As it is Shaw(+1) does well to hop around the DE and pick up a few yards.

RUN+

Shaw

RUN-

Robinson

M27

2

6

?

?

?

?

?

Pass

Hitch

Stonum

5

Watching Rice-Texas instead of this play, come back just as Stonum's catching a zinger from Denard. (CA, 3, ?)

M32

3

1

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

3

Corner rolled down into the box as a WLB, allowing the LBs to slide over. This lets them send two guys into the hole the draw has gone into already, forcing Robinson behind the ineffective Molk/Schilling double and into the path of the backside DT, who has shucked Omameh; SLB comes up unblocked to fill but not before Robinson's quickness picks up the first. (RPS -1)

RUN+

Robinson

RUN-

Omameh

M35

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly lead keeper

Robinson

12

Same play as the first snap on this drive and Denard has learned (or just been told to pull the damn ball, getting a ZR+1). He yoinks the ball out as the DE against crashes down and finds himself in plenty of space with Webb as a lead blocker. Huyge(+2) gets a great pancake block on MLB Lloyd and Robinson jets past the first down; would like to see him try to set up the safety inside and hop outside in an effort to get a touchdown. Also Odoms does a great, if ultimately irrelevant, job on the outside.

RUN+

Robinson, Huyge(2), Odoms

RUN-

M47

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Flare screen

Shaw

16

Seven guys in the box now and UConn sends a safety-type player on a blitz. Four men are in a deep umbrella, leaving just two guys underneath, and they don't know where to go because Michigan is sending two OL each way. Michigan hits the flare. Odoms and Dorrestein get cuts downfield; Grady gets a decent block that springs Shaw through, leaving him one on one with a safety for six. Off balance, he can't put a move on and gets tackled. (CA,3, screen, RPS +1)

RUN+

Odoms, Dorrestein

RUN-

O37

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly handoff

Shaw

5

Essentially an identical play to the first one on the drive, where DE hauls ass after Shaw, Denard makes a bad read (ZR-1), Shaw(+1) evades the DE and hits the backside of the play. This time Denard actually gets out to block, Webb totally walls off the slot LB, Huyge gets another good block on Lloyd, and it's still six yards.

RUN+

Shaw, Webb, Huyge

RUN-

Robinson

O32

2

5

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

32

You cannot draw up a scoop block better than this. Molk(+1) and Omameh(+1) drive the playside DT back and then Omameh pops out on the MLB. A pulling Webb(+1) wipes Lloyd out, Shaw(+1) takes out the weakside safety type thing and Millen drops "that's six" as Robinson crosses the LOS. He really is a fantastic broadcaster. Replay.

RUN+

Molk, Omameh(2), Smith, Robinson, Webb

RUN-

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 14-0, 1 min 1st Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

O44

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Off tackle

Shaw

15

Variant on the belly series from the last drive. On this one Webb pulls to clock the backside DE and Omameh(+1) blocks down on the playside DT; both linebackers have sucked to the backside because they're worried about Denard and not expecting this to go so far off tackle the other way since Shaw is lined up in the belly spot behind his QB. Ton of space; Shaw just runs by the SLB until he's forced inside by the corner. SLB tackles. RPS+1. Don't think this is a read, think this a called play, so no ZR.

RUN+

Omameh, Dorrestein

RUN-

O29

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

-3

UConn adjusting to this by slanting the DE into the gap instead of letting the OT kick him out. This creates a mess. Denard slows up and tries to cut back, but Omameh(-1) has been driven back and he still tries to go around, eventually getting tackled for a loss. Should have just cut it outside. The evolution of dance here is for Tebow-style play-action fakes that consist of a single step forward. RPS-1. Run Minus: Omameh, Robinson

O32

2

13

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Nickel 4-3

Run

Jailbreak screen

Grady

3

Fake the flare screen to Shawn and come back with the jailbreak on the other side of the field. This has sucked a lot of people out of position, leaving three blockers and three defenders before Grady is jetting for the endzone. Koger(+1) picks off the slot LB. Molk(+1) blocks MLB Lloyd. Schilling(-1) totally overruns the safety, who tackles unmolested. (CA, 3, protection NA)

RUN+

Molk, Koger

RUN-

Schilling(2)

O29

3

10

Shotgun empty

1

1

3

Nickel

Pass

TE cross

Koger

4

Not sure how restricted Robinson's read is here, but M is hoping for man and gets zone so Koger gets nailed as soon as he catches it. (CA, 2, protection 2/2)

Drive Notes: Missed FG(42), 14-0, 13 min 2nd Q. Shankapotamus punt sets M up with good field position on the next drive.

O38

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4-

Run

Reverse

Grady

-3

PEDANTRY NOTE: Since the action of the play goes one way with what looks like a QB sweep and then has a pitch to the WR, I'm calling this a reverse instead of an end around. The play: Michigan runs QB sweep action and pitches it to Grady as Koger takes out the backside DE. Problem: this 4-4 has a weakside alley defender like a Kovacs and no one is doing the thing where they run with Stonum on a fly route for 20 yards. This guy bites but is so far to the backside that he can easily recover in time to hit Grady. Grady, for his part, just runs right into the guy when he could have cut it inside and gotten some yards, possibly lots, and then he fumbles. Not a great play for Grady.

RUN+

Koger

RUN-

Grady(3)

O41

2

13

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4-

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

6

Best block of the day for Omameh, who gets under the DT and pushes him back a couple yards. LB is flowing downhill at this very fast so Robinson decides to cut back rather than chance a pileup with that guy and Webb at the LOS. Omameh's guy pops off to try to tackle but falls over backwards thanks to Omameh and Denard runs through it; MLB ate Molk(+1) and Denard can fall forward, stiffarming as he falls.

RUN+

Omameh, Molk

RUN-

O35

3

7

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Nickel

Pass

Slant

Odoms

16

Smith runs the flare screen route, Roundtree heads straight downfield, and Odoms slants inside. Denard throws what looks like a dangerous pass, but the safety coming down isn't even looking at Odoms, he's trying to get out for the screen, only realizing his error as the ball arrives. Odoms catches and quicks his way past the safety, picking up the first down and considerably more. With Odoms coming to a stop and a guy in Denard's face he can't wait any longer to make this throw; it is on rhythm. (CA, 3, protection 1/2, Omameh -1)

O19

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Inside zone

Smith

4

Backside blitzer makes this a correct read (ZR+1) Omameh and Schilling(+1 each) successfully crease the DTs, leaving Molk one on one with SLB, who beats him(-1). Smith is tackled by that guy.

RUN+

Schilling, Omameh

RUN-

Molk

O15

2

6

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4-

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

-2

This one also appears designed to go right up the middle, but Omameh(-1) is beaten by the slanting DT and there's nothing. Robinson has a chance to hop outside and maybe beat the backside DE but slips and is tackled for a loss. RPS -1; this slant killed the play. Run minus: Omameh, Dorrestein

O17

3

8

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Nickel

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

10

UConn stunting, which takes the playside DE inside. He's walled off by Huyge(+1); Schilling(+1) absolutely blasts the playside DT, erasing him; Smith shifts outside the DE when he sees the way the play is developing; Smith and Roundtree get blocks downfield and it's first and goal.

RUN+

Schilling(2), Huyge, Smith, Roundtree

RUN-

O7

1

G

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

3

Correct read with a backside blitz. Schilling kicks out his DT; Molk plows the MLB; Omameh cannot handle his DT, who comes off him to make a play a few yards downfield. Not minus-worthy but I was thinking about it.

RUN+

Schilling

RUN-

O4

2

G

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Goal line

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

4

Basically the same play; Schilling(+1) again does a great job of kicking out the DT; Molk(+1) gets out on the MLB, and Omameh does enough on the other guy, falling to the ground but getting in the way of him.

RUN+

Schilling, Molk

RUN-

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 21-0, 9 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

O8

1

10

Shotgun Trips TE

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

8

Robinson correctly reads the crash (ZR+1) and pulls it out, finding himself in open space. Huyge can't maintain his block on the outside but he's blocking the handoff so not his fault. Robinson jets for eight.

RUN+

Robinson

RUN-

O16

2

2

Shotgun Trips TE

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

6

They do get the intended crease this time (no slant from the DE) but the MLB fills immediately, bashing Smith close to the LOS. Robinson(+1) darts around Molk and has the acceleration to dart up into the crease behind him before Omameh's guy can come off and grab him. He does manage to reach out an arm and spin him down.

RUN+

Robinson, Molk

RUN-

Smith

O22

1

10

Shotgun Trips TE

1

1

3

Nickel

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

0

The read here should be keep but this might not actually be a read since he just ran twice. I have to assume it is, though, so: ZR-1. Smith has no hole because Omameh(-1) did not seal his man; that delay is enough for the backside DE to tackle for nothing. Run minus: Omameh, Robinson

O22

2

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Pass

PA throwaway

Roundtree(?)

Inc

UConn blitzes right into this, getting an unblocked guy in Robinson's face before he even has a chance; a slanting player has slashed past the fake run blocks and is also in the backfield. Robinson avoids one guy, then the other guy, in a remarkable Houdini act. With another couple guys coming in to crush him he just chucks the ball hard, deep, and on a line well past Roundtree. Was he trying to complete this? Does he just throw everything like this and has no deep ball? I don't know, but the benefit of the doubt goes to the guy who just escaped two defenders and is chucking the ball away. (TA, 0, protection 0/2, team, RPS-1)

O22

3

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Jailbreak screen

Stonum

4

UConn prepared for this, with the SLB in a position where there's no way anyone is going to be able to block him. Stonum(+1) does well to run through his tackle but he can't make the second guy miss. (CA, 3, screen)

Drive Notes: Punt, 21-3, 1 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M19

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

ZR Bubble

Roundtree

-1

Denard pulls it out with the DE crashing (ZR+1) but Huyge(-1) and Webb(-1) both have ineffectual blocks so DR goes to his safety valve; Odoms(-1) can handle his guy and it's a loss. (CA, 3, screen) Run minus: Huyge, Webb, Odoms

M18

2

11

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Quick out

Roundtree

Inc

This is a quick rollout with the two guys running an out and a fly to test the cornerback in a presumed zone; Denard throws the quick out before the play develops, allowing the corner to come up and crush Roundtree, separating him from the ball and knocking him out for the game. Another beat and he would have probably had Stonum, or the corner would have backed off Roundtree. (BR, 1, protection 1/1)

M18

3

11

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Deep hitch

Grady

16

Great protection leaves Robinson all kinds of time, and there's a fifth guy spying. Robinson waits for Grady to clear the linebacker level and sit down in the hole in the zone, then zips one in a decent window right on the numbers for a first down. (DO, 3, protection 2/2)

M34

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

4

Same as previous plays; Webb(-1) just runs by the backside DE; Omameh(-1) cannot contain his man, and both of these guys get arms on Smith at the LOS. He does a good job of running through those tackles and getting a decent gain anyway. Schilling got his guy sealed again.

RUN+

Schilling, Smith

RUN-

Omameh, Webb

M38

2

6

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

3

Molk(+1) gets a seal on the stretch block against that DT Omameh's been struggling with as Omameh heads to the second level, where the LB heads outside of him; Dorrestein(+1) pancakes the DE. Robinson should cut it up in between the C and T but heads outside, where Smith manages to wall off the SLB Omameh had no angle on. This leaves an unblocked safety to fill.

RUN+

Dorrestein, Molk

RUN-

Robinson

M41

3

3

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Slant

Odoms

9

Smith runs the flare again, drawing up the WLB and opening a window in which Robinson zings a first down completion. Slightly high, but ok. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

M49

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

1

Correct handoff with a S waiting for him and Webb going to block the crashing DE. Story is again the same: Omameh(-1), even with help from Dorrestein, cannot contain DT99, who forces himself over into the hole, leaving nothing for Smith to do except run up the back of his OL. If I was grading the UConn D he'd be en route to +10 or better. ZR+1. Run minus: Omameh

50

2

9

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

4

No crash; correct handoff(ZR+1). Omameh(+1) does seal and kick the DT this time; they're running it to the opposite side. Unfortunately, Schilling(-1) can't get any drive or seal and Smith has to cut it back; Huyge(-1) whiffed on the SLB. Smith meets two guys two yards downfield and burrows for two more.

RUN+

Omameh, Robinson

RUN-

Schilling, Huyge

O46

3

5

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Slant

Stonum

11

The flare again sucks a linebacker up to it, leaving Stonum in a big hole in the zone. Zing, bobble, catch, first down. (CA, 3, protection 2/2)

O35

1

10

Shotgun Trips TE

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Bubble screen

Grady

4

Safety walks down. This bubble is the short bubble where the receiver does not run the full route in the hopes of finding space between the freakin' out LB over the slot and the interior defense. This not so much. Odoms does manage to cut his guy but a safety charges up as soon as it looks like a bubble and snuffs it out. Michigan will use this later. (CA, 3, screen)

O31

2

6

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

5

Dorrestein(+1) cuts the backside DT to the ground, removing him totally. Molk(-1) gets pushed back and Robinson has to cut behind; this open because of the Dorrestein chop. Omameh releases into the second level but ends up blocking no one, which is unfortunate because Denard squeezes through arm tackles only to take his first real shot of the day from a safety a yard short of the sticks.

RUN+

Robinson, Dorrestein

RUN-

Omameh, Molk

O26

3

1

?

?

?

?

?

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

3

TV misses this play.

O23

1

10

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

4

This again. Omameh(+1) does get enough of the DT for the RB to skip by; Schilling seals his guy out. Unfortunately Molk(-1) has a really weird whiff where he just runs away from the MLB, the only person he can reasonably expect to block, and that guy tackles.

RUN+

Omameh, Schilling

RUN-

Molk

O19

2

6

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Flare

Smith

-1

Incorrect read by Robinson as the LB is flying out of the zone and Michigan again has the slant they've worked for a bunch of first downs. He instead throws the flare, getting Smith whacked by the corner. (BR, 3, protection NA)

O20

3

7

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Scramble

Robinson

11

UConn in zone and does a great job of covering a slant/wheel to the top of the screen Denard is looking at. Same thing on the bottom, same coverage. No one open, he takes off, darting past outstretched hands for the first down. Bonus: Smith's wicked blitz pickup. (SCR, --, protection 2/2)

O9

1

G

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

5

Playside DT just surges forward and falls, almost cut-blocking Molk. A charging LB darts past Webb, leaving two guys for Smith to block on the outside; the DT's fall has provided a cutback lane. Dorrestein(-1) could not cut the backside DT at all so he's there, but Robinson's hesitation move gets him to delay in case he cuts back around him, opening up a hole to dart into.

RUN+

Robinson, Huyge

RUN-

Dorrestein

O4

2

G

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Belly Keeper

Robinson

-3

DR seems en route to endzone when he bobbles and drops the ball. Never really had it after the exchange.

O7

3

G

Shotgun 3-Wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB stretch

Robinson

0

Blitz into the play cuts off the outside and gives UConn another guy on the inside to snuff this play out. RPS -1. Michigan will use this later, too.

Drive Notes: FG(24), 24-10, 7 min 3rd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M11

1

10

Ace 4-wide

1

1

4

Base 4-3

Run

Dive

Shaw

5

End around fake from Odoms; this is just a straight handoff up the middle. Omameh(+1) and Schilling(+1) crease the DTs and Molk(+1) nails the MLB; OLBs converge to tackle.

RUN+

Omameh, Schilling, Molk

RUN-

M16

2

5

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 4-4

Run

Off tackle

Shaw

-10

Omameh(-2) completely pwned by the DT, who I will name for you at this point: Kendall Reyes. Shaw(-2) compounds matters by dancing backwards instead of just trying to cut behind the mess and get back to the LOS, getting shoved and tackled for a huge loss. Run minus: Omameh(2), Shaw(2)

M6

3

15

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Run

QB draw

Robinson

15

A give up and punt play, which is reasonable given the game situation and your sophomore QB. Except, uh? first down. UConn rushes four and has three LBs in the middle of the field. Smith(+1) gets enough of the MLB; Grady and Robinson get in the way, and the other Robinson(+1) gives a tiny hip fake that causes one of the LBs to hop outside the blocker; he continues upfield, getting submarined, flying for the first down, and giving his hip an owie.

RUN+

Robinson, Smith, T. Robinson, Grady

RUN-

M21

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read keeper

Gardner

-4

Correct read (ZR+1) as the DE crashes but a terrible decision by Gardner(-2) to attempt to go outside of Koger and his man when the interior line was crushing that side of the line downfield. Koger(-1) also should have done better.

RUN+

Omameh, Dorrestein

RUN-

Gardner(2), Koger

M17

2

14

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Zone read belly

Smith

13

Another good read (ZR+1) with an outside blitzer and the fake is good enough to suck two guys outside and give Smith a big cutback lane he takes. Omameh(+1) crushed Reyes on this play; Dorrestein(+1) sealed off the SLB.

RUN+

Gardner, Omameh, Dorrestein

RUN-

M30

3

1

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 4-4

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

4

Surprise. LBs flying downhill at this, filling the hole, but Koger(+1) and Dorrestein(+1) have doubled the playside DE, driving him well back and giving Robinson a lane outside he takes for the first down. Robinson is too quick for the alley guy. (RPS-1)

RUN+

Koger, Dorrestein, Robinson

RUN-

M34

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Flare

Smith

8

Fourth or fifth time they've run this; this time the LB sticks in the middle of the zone and Robinson nails Smith with a perfectly placed touch pass that he can ramble up the sidelines with. (CA+, 3, screen)

M42

2

2

Shotgun trips

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

PA Bubble Post

T. Robinson

43

Dorrestein(-1) completely whiffs his cut block as Michigan goes for a fake handoff, then a fake bubble that sucks the UConn linebacker corps to the LOS in a fashion I've never seen before. Robinson has two guys running wide open and picks Robinson's post because it's probably the primary read; he does this with a guy in his face so it's kind of a tough throw. It's on the money 20 yards downfield, providing Robinson the ability to run after the catch, so it gets a DO. (DO, 3, protection 0/1, Dorrestein, RPS+3)

O15

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

5

Eighth guy in the box is coming down hard in the G-T gap so Smith has to squeeze between the two guards; both have maintained good blocks. At this point the backside DE is crashing in and the eighth guy has adjusted, so the tackle. Smith does a good job of getting some YAC. RPS-1.

RUN+

Omameh, Schilling, Smith

RUN-

O10

2

5

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Sack

--

-1

PA rollout finds no one open for Robinson so he tries to run it; this is well defensed. Good D by Uconn, correct decision by Denard. (TA, --, protection NA)

O11

3

6

Shotgun 4-wide

1

0

4

Base 4-3

Pass

Flare screen

Smith

11

UConn blitzes right into this, and gets DOOM'D for their trouble; you can hear Michigan Stadium go "yeeeeeah" as soon as they see what the playcalls are. RPS+2. There are only two guys to the same side of the field as Smith and four blockers; Huyge(+1) and Odoms(+1) do excellent jobs and Smith can walk it in. (CA, 3, screen)

RUN+

Odoms, Huyge

RUN-

Drive Notes: Touchdown (missed XP), 30-10, 13 min 4th Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M23

1

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly handoff

Shaw

3

UConn is pouring downhill at these so I won't judge too harshly on a drive when Michigan's just trying to put a game that's already put away fully underground. Omameh(+1) gets a good block; Molk's angle out of the line does not take him through defenders, and the crashing DE is crashing so hard Shaw again has to go behind a guy and get what he can, which is three since there are linebackers everywhere. I'm not going to ZR this either because the game's done and Robinson doesn't need more carries.

RUN+

Omameh

RUN-

M26

2

7

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 5-3

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

9

Okay, I will. UConn pulls an LB down to the line to combat the second TE, Webb(+1) kicks him out. DE crashes, Robinson pulls (ZR+1), Huyge wipes out Lloyd (easy), and Robinson shoots up in the gap provided by Schilling and Webb, cutting behind the SLB after five yards to pick up nine.

RUN+

Webb, Huyge, Schilling, Robinson

RUN-

M35

1

10

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 5-3

Run

Zone read keeper

Robinson

8

Basically same thing as M finally starts testing a UConn D intent on shooting the DE down the line. Here MLB Lloyd is the scrape guy and starts hauling ass after Denard immediately, but Denard just outruns him to the corner easy. Koger got a block on the playside DE. (ZR+1)

RUN+

Koger, Robinson

RUN-

M43

2

2

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 4-3

Run

Iso

Shaw

3

Reyes submarines Omameh and falls; Schilling(+1) seals his DT; Molk(-1) whiffs on Lloyd, who meets Shaw a yard past the LOS thanks to the excellent Schilling block; Shaw just blows him and gets the pile to fall the right direction.

RUN+

Schilling

RUN-

Molk

M46

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

1

2

Base 4-4-

Run

Broken play

Shaw

-1

Shaw and Smith bump into each other, almost certainly because Smith gets the wrong playcall. Not going to bother with the blocking because who knows?

M45

2

11

Ace

1

2

2

Base 5-3

Pass

Waggle TE flat

Koger

10

This sucks the WLB to the fake and gets Koger open in the flat. Robinson gives him a soft toss and he turns it up to get near the first down marker. (CA, 3, protection NA)

O45

3

1

Shotgun 2TE

1

2

2

Base 5-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

6

Dorrestein(+1) and Koger(+1) totally obliterate the playside DE, catching the linebackers up in the wash and letting Robinson just run up their backs for five. This is a variant of the regular draw where they're doubling one particular member of the DL on short yardage.

RUN+

Dorrestein, Koger

RUN-

O39

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 5-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

0

At this point I'm not really interested. WOOOOO. Omameh gets the main demerit, but I'm not sure what Molk is doing either? at this point whatever.

O39

2

10

Shotgun H-back

1

1

3

Base 4-4

Run

Belly handoff

Smith

3

I understand this blocking so I'll chart it: again with the inside zone; Omameh(+1) gets a goot block; Schilling a bleah but acceptable one; Molk(-1) gets the ole job by Lloyd. Kind of disappointed in Molk's downfield blocking this game.

Playside DT submarines Molk, taking himself and Molk out and opening a frontside crease. McColgan(-1) makes a really weird decision by hitting one of the contain guys instead of going right upfield and putting his facemask on the MLB's chest. Dorrestein can't cut said MLB and he tackles Smith near the LOS.

RUN+

Omameh

RUN-

McColgan

O26

3

9

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 5-3

Run

Iso

Smith

0

Seriously, at this point whatever.

O26

4

9

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 5-3

Pass

Waggle hitch

Grady

Inc

Can't see this from the tape but I had a good line on this in the stadium and it was open but Denard did not get the ball out fast enough. You can see that Stonum was open on the outside, too. I usually go with IN for balls that aren't bad ideas but are thrown too early/late but with Stonum sitting out there it's BR time. (BR, 0, protection NA)

Drive Notes: Turnover on downs, 30-10, 2 min 4th Q. EOG.

I'm dizzy because I keep running around in circles screaming "wheeeeeeeeeeee!" I know it's Thursday, I don't care.

Yeah, let's just get right to the—

CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAART

Chart. I've included our Denard Robinson All of 2009 chart for comparison:

I know. There has never been a UFR passing chart devoid of MAs and INs. The full dossier of things Robinson was dinged for:

Chucking the ball away deep after escaping two unblocked rushers.

Running out of bounds for a one-yard sack on a waggle play.

Throwing a flare instead of a slant and getting Vincent Smith hit for a one yard loss.

Getting Roundtree killed on an out that he caught until it was violently separated from him.

Throwing a waggle hitch late on the last offensive play Michigan had.

That's it. The first is a good play. The second was a good decision since he had nowhere else to go and is Denard Robinson approaching the line of scrimmage. The other three were passes as deadly accurate as his other 18 but weren't the best options; only on the last was their any chance of a turnover. Everyone's worried about Tate Forcier transferring because of a lack of playing time… but what about Tacopants? He got zero balls.

UConn's secondary has to be terrible.

Yeah… UConn's secondary is probably terrible. They were starting a bunch of freshmen and failed to take advantage of a couple moments where it looked like Robinson was late on hitches. Also all that other stuff happened. Here is the avalanche of caveats and stern looks designed to keep your pants on—

—or put them back on—

TMI—and put Robinson's performance in perspective. Many of his downfield throws were either simple hitches or the slant/flare combo they ran about eight times where Smith would run a flare route, the linebacker to that side would start charging it down, and Robinson would zing a wide-open slant in the vacated space. Once the linebacker charged it down and Robinson threw the flare for no yardage; once he stayed home and Robinson threw the flare for good yardage. Michigan didn't show a whole lot, and for the most part avoided plays that could be risky.

The only play I gave the hallowed DO other than the wide open TRob (apologies for the use of that annoying shorthand but I'm not going to distinguish between the two Robinsons with full names for the next three years) post was this:

And while that's wicked sweet it's the only time he really fit it in a window. Not that I'm worried about his accuracy anymore*. It's more about what happens when his receivers are covered. Can he come off a primary read? Can he consistently recognize when guys are covered? Can he process information fast enough to get the passes out on time? Answers:

Don't know, as both times UConn covered the primary read they covered everyone and Robinson ran.

Don't know. He made three bad reads, but didn't throw anywhere truly dangerous.

Not consistently yet. Some of the CAs above were late but he got away with them, and the last incompletion was very late.

Notre Dame and their veteran secondary will be another test.

On the other hand, how many times did you see Pat White zinging balls to hopelessly, almost unbelievably wide open receivers? Part of the magic of the offense is that when you can run 70% of the time and still put up first downs and string together long plays, things like that Robinson-to-Robinson pass where there isn't a defender in the same time zone as the receiver happen. The burden on Robinson to read defenses is going to be so much lower than it would be for a Henne or Tate because it's impossible to leave two high safeties against him (or at least a terrible idea) and taking a step forward is the best play-fake in the world.

Also, on third and 11 up 11 with this guy who wasn't even a quarterback last year, Rodriguez let 'er rip. They have some level of confidence there.

*(WOOO)

My pants—

More charts! Receiverchart:

This Game

Totals

Player

0

1

2

3

0

1

2

3

Stonum

-

-

-

5/5

-

-

-

5/5

Odoms

-

-

-

2/2

-

-

-

2/2

Hemingway

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Jackson

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Roundtree

1

0/1

-

-

1

0/1

-

-

Grady

1

-

-

3/3

1

-

-

3/3

Robinson

-

-

-

1/1

-

-

-

1/1

Stokes

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Koger

-

-

1/1

2/2

-

-

1/1

2/2

Webb

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Smith

-

-

-

3/3

-

-

-

3/3

Shaw

-

-

-

1/1

-

-

-

1/1

Cox

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Hopkins

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Toussaint

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

An exceptionally unchallenging day, but one on which they made no mistakes. Having Koger go 3/3 is encouraging. The only hypothetically catchable pass that wasn't was the one on which Roundtree got blown up. Hard to blame a guy for that.

PROTECTION METRIC: 12/16, Dorrestein –1, Omameh –1, Team –2.

Low sample size makes it tough to get a read but since the Dorrestein –1 was a failed chop block on the TRob post and the team minus was getting overwhelmed by a blitz into play action the initial returns are pretty good. No minuses from the tackles when they're actually setting up to pass block is win.

Rock-paper-scissors: +13, –7, TOTAL +6.

This may even be pessimistic since I started dinging Michigan points for running the same stuff over and over again when they probably put away the tricks because they didn't need them and I think I even RPS-1ed a successful QB lead draw on third and one because UConn was all over it. Is it really a bad decision if they leap all over it and still can't stop it?

It'll be interesting to watch this over the course of the season—Robinson's promise is that he can drop more RPS+3 plays this year than Michigan has in the last two seasons combined.

All right, now… the run game, which was the bulk of the offense?

Right, so this is the first time I'd ever systematically done this and it could end up being totally whack but here it is anyway:

Chart.

Offensive Line

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Huyge

7

2

5

No pass rush minuses, too. Excellent day.

Schilling

13

6

7

Clearly the best interior OL on the day.

Molk

10

5

5

Had some downfield whiffs.

Omameh

15

16

-1

Major issues with Kendall Reyes.

Dorrestein

9

4

5

Couple of pancakes.

Webb

3

2

1

Seemed better.

Koger

6

1

5

!

TOTAL

63

36

27

Splat.

Backs

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Robinson

17

6

13

Woo ha!

Gardner

1

2

-1

Should have cut his loss upfield for a big gain.

Shaw

7

2

5

Lot of hopping on bad ZR decisions.

Smith

7

1

6

TD killer.

Cox

-

-

-

DNP

Toussaint

-

-

-

DNP

Hopkins

-

-

-

DNP

McColgan

-

1

-1

Eh.

Jones

-

-

-

DNP

TOTAL

33

15

18

Zip.

Receivers

Player

+

-

T

Notes

Stonum

1

-

1

--

Odoms

4

1

3

Wha?

TRobinson

1

-

1

--

Roundtree

3

-

3

--

Grady

1

3

-2

Negs on the bad reverse.

TOTAL

17

10

7

!?!?!?

Metrics

Zone Read

10

3

7

Just Robinson. Gardner also had a 2-0-2.

I have no idea what the context is here and think I should separated out carrying and blocking +/- for the RBs, since the former seems more important than the latter but it essentially bears out what I thought when watching the game. The tackles were surprisingly good but not that involved on a day when Michigan did almost all of its damage up the middle. Schilling took a major step forward, something that's echoed by NFL draft types:

Steve Schilling/G/Michigan: Schilling, who looked liked a star in the making as a freshman, has struggled the past few seasons adjusting to Michigan's motion offense. On Saturday, he showed signs of major improvement in his ability to block on the move and annihilate opponents at the point.

Molk was good but did not execute many of his patented reach blocks because of the interior focus and whiffed on MLBs a bit too often for my tastes.

And Patrick Omameh struggled. He didn't exactly lose out, but as the only guy on the line anywhere near even he stood out as a sophomore. UConn's Kendall Reyes was a problem all day, bursting into the backfield on the Shaw ten-yard loss and causing most of the bounce-outs. Sometimes this just happens. I remember Eastern Michigan's Jason Jones doing a lot of damage, pointing out how good he was, and hoping this was true both for credibility and what it said about Michigan's offensive line. Jones eventually went in the second round of the NFL draft. I both think and hope Reyes is really good, headed for All Big East recognition. If not, Omameh has a lot of work to do.

What if Robinson explodes or something?

Well, we're in trouble. This might happen. Quarterbacks get injured frequently. But it doesn't appear that they get injured any more frequently when they run a lot, as MCalibur's diaries have shown. There is a slight increase in injury rate that does not rise to the level of statistical significance, which is to say that the numbers suggest there might be a slight uptick, but the rate at which this happens is low enough that we can't be sure. In any case, an extra 2-3% chance your QB goes down is so worth the added explosiveness a guy like Robinson brings.

Heroes?

Almost everyone to some extent but special mention goes to Robinson (obviously) and Schilling.

Goats?

The only person who even remotely qualifies is Omameh and even he did all right.

What does it mean for Notre Dame and beyond?

Next week's game is going to be interesting on the interior of the line since ND is running a 3-4. Omameh won't have a DT lined up directly over him; that will fall to Molk, who will endeavor to put Ian Williams on rollerskates for the third straight year. Williams has supposedly bulked up and didn't spend most of the last year rehabbing a knee so that matchup should be more even. If Molk can win it consistently, Schilling and Omameh will spend most of their time trying to stay in front of Carlo Calebrese and Manti Te'o, ND's MLBs. Those three matchups will go a long way towards determining the outcome of the game. I expect considerably more variation in the run game, with a lot more stretch plays to test the historically immobile Williams.

In the passing game… well, if Notre Dame leaves primary reads open Robinson will hit them. They will probably have an answer to the slant/flare combo that worked so well for Michigan against UConn, but with so few tricks pulled out of the bag in the first game they'll have to deal with a larger than usual set of plays they have not seen before. That combined with Robinson's legs demanding attention should set him up with a large number of makeable throws as long as he's not stuck with long-yardage situations. That goes back to the interior line, then.